Please note that this and other posts on the matter will likely be deleted/archived in preparation for a master article to help reduce redundancy and to streamline the listing and discussion of all key points. Also, contrary to the below, antitypos does not always mean just the antitype; it can also be the type of the antitype – so it can play both roles. However, it doesn’t negate the points herein because, in the context, a type is already given which means that, by default, antitypos has to be the antitype in the verse at issue. So to be clear, antitypos is either the type that typifies an antitype or else it is the antitype that is typified by the type — it is never a type typifying another type… such a notion defeats the inherent/intrinsic meaning of the Greek word at issue…

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The Like Figure

“The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 3:21

The term the like figure consists of one Greek word, antitypos. It is the equivalent of our transliterated word antitype. An antitype is that which is represented, symbolized, or typified by a type. With this in mind, we can read the passage as follows (from Young’s Literal Translation):

“…when once the long-suffering of God did wait, in days of Noah — an ark being preparing — in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; also to which AN ANTITYPE doth now save us — BAPTISM, (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the question of a good conscience in regard to God,) through the rising again of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 3:20-21

Consider the following type/antitype relationships associated with this passage:

• There is the salvation of a chosen few (i.e. Noah and his family) with the ANTITYPE being all of God’s elect.

• They were saved through the water, with wrath and judgment being the ANTITYPE of the water.

• They were saved through the water in the Ark, with Christ Jesus being the ANTITYPE of the Ark.

• This was not just any Ark but one “pitched (kaphar) within and without with pitch (kopher).” Kaphar literally means “to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation” and the ANTITYPE of it is the atonement/baptism of Christ on the cross as He propitiated for His elect. Kopher literally means “price of a life, ransom, satisfaction.” Kopher also refers to the pitch made from the Henna plant; it starts off orange in colour and after three days turns red — like blood or scarlet. The blood of Christ is the ANTITYPE of Kaphar and it is through His blood (and all that it represents) that atonement (Kopher) was made.

• All of the above typifies true (spiritual) baptism; in other words, spiritual baptism is the ANTITYPE of the Noahic flood account and all that it symbolized.

Conclusion

Spiritual baptism starts with the atoning / redeeming / propitiatory work of Christ; it starts with His shed blood (as He was baptized on the cross enduring the full wrath of God unto our salvation). Yet, spiritual baptism also pertains to the Holy Spirit taking this Gospel truth, turning our minds from dead works and religious idolatry (i.e. granting us repentance), and giving us faith to believe in the Gospel, which is the baptism of Christ. So we must be clear that spiritual baptism is both the salvific work of Christ (objectively performed) and our receipt of that salvific work (subjectively, in our hearts and minds by grace, and that, when the Spirit of God quickens us, converts us, and causes us to repent and believe).

Using 1 Peter 3:20-21 to emphasize water baptism detracts from the true intent and message of the passage. It causes people to put an ordinance, a work of man, in primary view when God would have us focus on the ANTITYPE, the Baptism of Christ at Calvary and the baptism of us in and with Him. Nailed-to-the-cross ordinances divide, the Gospel unites; the finished work of Christ our Saviour unites.

To God be the Glory!

Curt Wildy